The most ‘successful’ lie…

In Eden, the serpent (Satan in disguise) suggested to Eve that God didn’t actually want the best for her and Adam. Believing that lie resulted in the first sin and is still the biggest faith-destroyer in this world. By thinking that God does not want good for me, or is not using the painful events of my life for good, I am likely to take matters into my own hands instead of trusting Him. While I am free to make choices, I have no control over the consequences. 

For example, deciding to do my own thing puts a wedge in my relationship with the Lord. Jesus said: “You are my friends if you do what I command you.” (John 15:14) He also said:

Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” (John 14:21)

He describes the consequences of obedience, but what happens if I think His will is not good for me and say no? Instead of listening to God, I want whatever I can do or get? Specifics are hard to predict but one thing is certain:

You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. (James 4:4)

I don’t want to be God's enemy, but Jesus made it clear that no one can serve two masters. It is either God or myself, but when fed ideas from the Liar, he appeals to my selfish desires and blurs or blasts the goodness of God.

Obedience is also important in learning God's will. Like walking a dark path with a flashlight, I cannot see more than the next step unless I step into it. The lie is exposed as I pray and focus on truth:

Put false ways far from me and graciously teach me your law. . . .  You are good and do good; teach me your statutes. (Psalm 119:29; 68)

Obedience is important because: “He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.” (Psalm 24:4)

Doing what God says produces the good fruit of the Spirit and increases my ability to obey. The fruit of the Spirit requires giving up its opposites, but it does not take long to see the choice is a no-brainer. Believing truth produces good things because God is good and wants good. Believing the lie leads to selfishness, gross sin, and pain for me and everyone around me.

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. (Galatians 5:19–26)

Knowing God wants good for His people changes my prayer life. If the lives of my friends (or my life) seems uncomfortable or filled with ‘bad’ stuff, I’m learning to search for the good that God promises to use in transforming lives to be like Jesus. Sometimes His pruning hurts, but the end result is always amazing. Why not pray for ‘quick cuts’ and incredible results?

Not only that, the more I know God is good, the more my prayers are answered. He does this, not so I am blessed (even though I am) but so He is glorified. The Liar says otherwise. However, as God hears and answers prayer, but to put that Liar and his lies in their place. Answered prayer is another fruit of the Spirit. It blesses those who believe and pray, and astounds those who should be doing the same. 

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. (John 15:7–8)

PRAY: Lord Jesus, the more I spend time with You and see Your goodness, the more my heart desires that You are glorified. This dark world needs to see and hear the truth. I know that some will resist and hate You, remain slaves of sin, self, and the lies, yet I also know You are able to shed light in the hearts of sinners. Be glorified in our hearts that we might be able to glorify You in our lives. Help me to submit to You always and resist the devil so he will flee from me (James 4:7). Millions need to realize that he is lying when he says You are not good. Amen.

Weep with those who weep

Concentration is difficult this day. Last night, a Canadian Junior A hockey team on their way to a playoff game in a bus were broadsided by a semi-trailer. Of twenty-eight in the bus, half of them died on the scene. The other half are injured, at least three seriously. These young men and their coaches were from various places in western Canada, including our city.

Like most Canadians who grew up in rural areas, I spent many hours at the local rink, skating or watching hockey. While I don’t personally know any of this team in the bus, I feel as if I do and share the pain and grief.

How do I segue into today’s devotional? I am so sad. Tozer speaks of dying to self. The Scripture gives a list of the outward evidence of those who do it, and those who don’t.

“Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.” (Galatians 5:19–26)

What catches me is the line that says to “keep in step with the Spirit” and raises the question: At a time like this, how does God feel? Does He cry? Is He grieving?

“Jesus wept.” (John 11:35) His friend Lazarus had died and with the grieving family, He shed tears. Those around Him remarked that this was the grief of loss. No doubt it involved that, but at the same time, I believe His tears included sorrow for all humanity, the reality that sin brought death into this world. A few verses later say that Jesus was deeply moved, a word conveying intense emotion, even indignation. Could Jesus have wept because those around Him had been blinded to the reality of eternal life and God’s promises? Was He sad that they did not know that death was not the end of life, just like the horizon is not the end of the ocean?

The Galatians passage gives a list of spiritual fruit that obviously comes from the Holy Spirit. This describes action, but it also includes attitudes and emotions. This fruit is given to those who belong to Jesus Christ and who live in the power of God rather than in sin and selfishness. I cannot know or judge those who grieve, yet experience tells me that some will be angry, withdraw, even get drunk. However, the Holy Spirit does not offer those as solutions. Instead, in the power of the Spirit there will be deep emotion, tears, concern for others facing the same loss, goodness, gentleness, even peace. 1 Thessalonians 4:13 says that Christians do not grieve the same way as others who have no hope.

Tozer focuses on the crucifixion part, that we need to go to the cross and die there. However, if anyone is in Christ, this has already happened:

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

The challenge is not what I must do, but to always remember what God has already done — and then live accordingly, keeping in step with the Spirit, letting Him take charge of my attitudes, actions, and emotions.

^^^^^^^^^^

Jesus, You are the measure of all things. From the way You lived and behaved, and from the precious gift of Your Word, I know what comprises a godly response to a tragedy like this. Your compassion puts me on my knees and weeping for the sorrow of others.